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Monday, 3 August 2015

Adidas hits back in row over Manchester United’s sexist new kit

Adidas has defended the design of Manchester United’s new women’s shirt after it was branded sexist by fans.

The
German sportswear giant, which unveiled the first United kit of its
£750m deal with the Old Trafford club last week, was criticised on
social media for the design of the women’s shirt, which has a much lower
neckline than the men’s version.

One United
fan, @MUnitedGirl, posted on Twitter: “Seriously Adidas? Why is the
V-neck so low compared with the men’s one? Some of us don’t like to show
cleavage. I call that discrimination. Nike never did that.”

Responding
to the criticism, Adidas said it took the thoughts of fans into account
before producing the kit. “Adidas provides an adult shirt which is a
replica of what the players wear,” a spokesperson said.

“Based
on research from fans, we also offer a women’s shirt as part of our
lifestyle range of products. This range has a slightly different design
and fit to give fans a choice.”

There
were those who did not find the design of the new shirt offensive.
Sonal Raja said: “Wow, they actually released a women’s shirt this year!
About time tbh... It’s cute u know. I like it.”

Nike did not
produce a women’s version of the United shirt last season. Adidas
pointed out that it makes women’s kits for Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern
Munich and all of its other top European clubs.